Meeting Abstract

P1.62  Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30  Effect and prevalence of the endoparasite Plasmodium across the range of Uta stansburiana SPENCE, AS*; SMITH, GD; FRENCH, SS; Utah State University; Utah State University; Utah State University austin.r.spence@gmail.com

Parasitic infections can be costly for organisms, with consequences such as loss of nutrition, decreased body condition, or impaired immunocompetence. In this study, blood slides from side-blotched lizards, Uta stansburiana, were created from populations in Arizona, Utah, and Oregon to assess the prevalence of the endoparasite Plasmodium across the lizard’s range and to investigate possible effects on hormone levels and immune function. The blood slides were stained and examined using a standardized screening procedure through a microscope to determine the presence of Plasmodium. Infected and uninfected individuals were then compared in their capacity to produce corticosterone in response to a uniform stressor, their body size, and their bacterial killing capability. Averages between populations and states were also compared. There was a significant difference between populations in Utah and Oregon, suggesting that Plasmodium infection rates are lower in the northern parts of the U. stansburiana range. While bacterial killing ability at individual and population level had no significant correlation with infection, infected animals were smaller and had lower baseline corticosterone that uninfected animals. Further research will improve our understanding of what effects Plasmodium has on free living individuals and populations throughout the western United States.